Researchers from Yale say that most young gamers are not susceptible to unhealthy behavior

By Staff Writer

Researchers from Yale University have found that most teenagers who play video games do not fall into unhealthy behaviors, but children who develop an addiction to virtual games may be more likely to smoke, use drugs, fight or become depressed.

While many organizations and studies have linked video games to aggressive behavior among adolescents, the Yale study indicates that gaming, in and of itself, does not pose a threat to kids, according to data published in the online edition of the journal Pediatrics. Researchers said that a small portion of teens who are unable to control their gaming reveal a symptom of addictive behaviors, but one that is not caused by the games themselves.

The author of the study said that the child's inability to resist the impulse of playing video games can help determine any future risk of unhealthy behavior. Problem gaming was characterized by three main symptoms: trying and failing to cut back play, feeling an irresistible urge to play and experiencing tension that only video games could relieve.

Adults in the U.S. have expressed concern over other aspects of video games. According to MyFoxNY, a Rasmussen Reports national survey reveals that 54 percent of respondents believe that violent video games lead to more violence in society.